Abstract: A system capable of self-adjusting both sound level and spectral content to improve audibility and intelligibility of medical device audible cues. Audible cues are stored as sound files. Ambient noise is detected, and the output of the audible cues is altered based on the ambient noise. Various embodiments include processed sound files that are more robust in noisy environments.

Abstract: The invention relates to a turned regulating ball valve, which comprises a ball valve body, a ball and a stem mechanically fixed with the ball, the ball can be rotated by 90 degrees in the ball valve body using the stem as an axis, a first side and a second side of the ball valve body are respectively provided with an inlet seat and an outlet seat, the ball valve body and the inlet seat are provided with an inlet fluid passage, the ball valve body and the outlet seat are provided with an outlet fluid passage, the ball is placed between the inlet seat and the outlet seat, a first part of the ball, which is close to the inlet seat, is provided with a control assembly, and a second side of the ball, which is close to the outlet seat, is provided with a plurality of hole fluid channels which communicate with the control assembly.

Abstract: A measurement device for measuring water concentration in an oil water mixture has a transmitter that is used to transmit a designated spectrum of microwave frequencies to a transmitting antenna and then through the oil water mixture. A separate receiving antenna is used to detect the amplitude of each frequency of the transmitted spectrum after it has interacted with the oil water mixture. The detected signal from each microwave frequency that has interacted with the fluid mixture is digitized and sent to a processing unit. The processing unit receives the digitized frequencies and identifies the microwave frequency having the lowest amplitude, or amplitudinal nadir. The microwave frequency having the lowest amplitude is then used to calculate the percentage of water in the oil water mixture.

Abstract: An embodiment of the support structure includes a back plate, a central part adapted to recite an automatic compression/decompression unit, and a front part. The front part includes two legs coupled between the central part and the back plate. The support structure is arranged to automatically compress or decompress a patient's chest when the front part is attached to the back plate and when the compression/decompression unit is received in the central part.

Abstract: A means to effect a trip response regardless of the electro-mechanical actuator type used for improving electro-hydraulic and electro-mechanical integrated control systems for a steam turbine. To achieve this goal, electro-mechanical actuators can be equipped with multiple coils or multiple motors (usually a primary and a secondary). In a dual-coil configuration, the primary is energized according to an output of a PID controller, whereas the secondary coil is regulated by a separate control element. The entire system is powered by means of Uninterruptable Power Supply (UPS) with AC output which can provide sufficient time for trip response using primary coil or motor. At the same time, secondary coil or motor is powered by independent power from a UPS and/or separate battery backup. Whenever trip response is required, and there is a complete main power interruption secondary coil or motor is quickly energized to provide adequate trip response.

Abstract: A plug valve including a valve body having an inlet port, an outlet port and a central chamber extending between the inlet port and the outlet port. The valve also includes an inlet seal segment within the central chamber and includes a bore extending therethrough and aligned with the inlet port. An outlet seal segment is disposed within the central chamber having a bore extending therethrough and aligned with the outlet port. A plug member is disposed in the central chamber and is moveable between an open position, to facilitate fluid flow through the plug valve, and a closed position, to block fluid flow through the plug valve. First and second side segments are disposed between and interlocked to the inlet and outlet seal segments to encircle the plug member. The side segments are tensioned to preload the seal segments against the plug member to prevent the flow of fluid between the seal segments and the plug member.

Abstract: A surge relief valve includes a piston housing and a piston located within the housing for reciprocal motion. The surge relief valve also includes a position sensor to resolve the axial position of the piston relative to the piston housing. The position sensor includes a sensor body coupled to the piston housing and a movable element configured to move linearly relative to the sensor body and configured to move axially with the piston. At a least portion of the sensor body is located within the piston housing.

Abstract: A system and method for ultrasonic flow metering. In one embodiment, an ultrasonic flow metering system includes a plurality of ultrasonic flowmeters. Each of the ultrasonic flowmeters includes a flow processor. The flow processor is configured to maintain a plurality of velocity bins, each of the bins corresponding to a flow velocity range for the flowmeters. The flow processor is also configured to maintain, within each of the bins, a value indicative of past average velocity of fluid flow through a given one of the flowmeters associated with a given one of the bins. The flow processor is further configured to determine, responsive to one of the flowmeters having failed, an estimated average fluid flow velocity through the system based on the values maintained within the bins.

Abstract: A welding fixture for releasably engaging a weldable object includes a support body having a fluid passage, and a receiver coupled to the support body having an internal chamber that receives the object. At least one fluid delivery tube is disposed along the receiver and is in fluid communication with the fluid passage of the support body. The fixture allows the weldable object to be precisely positioned for welding, and supplies a fluid delivery system for delivering inert gas to the weld site.

Abstract: A safety overheat protection circuit for flexible heater wire used in heating pads and electric blankets. The heater wire includes a low melt temperature fuse-able layer and a conductive core. A polymetric positive temperature coefficient (PPTC) device is used in series with the heater wire in a configuration so that a hot spot anywhere along the length of the wire will cause the fuse-able layer to melt and the heater wire to short to the conductive core, increasing the current and causing the PPTC device to change to a high impedance state significantly removing power to the heater wire. In addition, dual circuits having the same operating target temperature are presented as a safe method of temperature control.

Abstract: An external medical device can include a housing and a processor within the housing. The processor can be configured to receive an input signal for a patient receiving chest compressions from a mechanical chest compression device. The processor can also be configured to select at least one filter mechanism, the mechanical chest compression device having a chest compression frequency f. The processor can be further configured to apply the at least one filter mechanism to the signal to at least substantially remove chest compression artifacts from the signal, wherein the chest compression artifacts correspond to the chest compressions being delivered to the patient by the mechanical chest compression device, and wherein the at least one filter mechanism substantially rejects content in the frequency f plus content in at least one more frequency that is a higher harmonic to the frequency f.

Abstract: A pressure regulator includes a pressurized fluid, direct-drive, balanced dual poppet valve assembly that requires no dynamic seals and is pressure balanced. Each poppet has a knife edge that creates a bubble-tight seal against a cooperating seat. The sealing knife edge of one poppet faces into the pressure, and the sealing knife edge of the other poppet faces away from the pressure. The pressure balance negates performance impact of high or low fluid pressure. Furthermore, the design provides for a controlled depth of deformation by the sealing knife edges of the poppets into the soft surfaces of the seats. With this arrangement, no dynamic seals are required, reducing the friction to a very low value. The valve assembly is actuated by solenoid that is optimized for light weight, high speed response, and low power consumption. The solenoid is designed to be immersed and operated within the pressurized fluid.

Abstract: A replaceable, stand-alone charging apparatus for insertion into a portable electronic device having an energy storage device and a rechargeable battery that supplies energy to the energy storage device is provided. The replaceable, stand-alone charging apparatus has a body and a battery charging device housed substantially with the body and operable to charge the rechargeable battery of the portable electrical device. The replaceable, stand-alone charging apparatus further has an electrical connector adapted for connection with a cooperative electrical connector coupled to the rechargeable battery of the portable electronic device. The electrical connector is in electrical communication with the battery charging device.

Abstract: A method and means for creating a daylight harvesting controller with a self calibrating light sensor and an adaptive setpoint that maintains a user determined light level is disclosed herein. The system includes a light sensor for monitoring the ambient light level of a designated control zone and a means to receive and interpret light level adjustment commands created by a user or user surrogate. The system includes means to limit the setpoint to a maximum value, suspend daylighting activity when lights are being adjusted or are turned off, and to delay setpoint capture and the start or resumption of daylighting until an adjustment cycle is completed and the zone light sources have reached a nominally steady state.

Abstract: Methods to control the delivery of CPR to a patient through a mechanical CPR device are described. The method generally allows for a gradual increase in the frequency of CPR cycles. The gradual increase can be regulated by protocols programmed within the CPR device such as intermittently starting and stopping the delivery of CPR accelerating the delivery of CPR, stepping up the CPR frequency, increasing the force of CPR, and adjusting the ratio of compression and decompression in a CPR cycle. Combinations of each of these forms may also be used to control the delivery of CPR. This manner of gradually accelerating artificial blood flow during the first minutes of mechanical CPR delivery can serve to lessen the potential for ischemia/reperfusion injury in the patient who receives mechanical CPR treatment.

Abstract: A securable article display system having a base on a support and an elongate rod cantilever mounted to the base. A blocking assembly defines a receptacle for a part of the rod and is configured so that with the blocking assembly in the engaged state: a) the blocking assembly cannot be separated from the rod by movement relative to the rod transversely to the length of the rod; and b) the blocking assembly is movable along the length of the rod to block an article suspended from the rod from moving past the rod free end. The rod and blocking assembly interact in a manner whereby the rod binds with the blocking assembly as the blocking assembly moves away from the base towards the free end so as to thereby prevent the blocking assembly from moving past the free end to separate from the rod.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for ultrasonic flow metering of viscous fluids. In one embodiment, an ultrasonic flow metering system includes an ultrasonic flow meter, a flow conditioner, and a reducer. The ultrasonic flow meter includes a pair of ultrasonic transducers arranged to exchange ultrasonic signals through a fluid stream flowing between the transducers. The flow conditioner is disposed upstream of the ultrasonic flow meter. The reducer is disposed between the flow conditioner and the ultrasonic flow meter to reduce the cross sectional area of the fluid stream flowing from the flow conditioner to the ultrasonic flow meter.

Abstract: A medical device for use with a patient is described. The medical device includes a component for administering a treatment to the patient or receiving data of the patient. The component is configured to operate according to an internal setting. The medical device also includes a user interface through which a user can modify the internal setting, as well as a settings signature generator for generating a settings signature that represents a present state of the internal setting. A gateway is also provided for communicating a version of the settings signature out of the medical device.

Abstract: A lift assembly comprising an article to be raised and lowered, a cable coupled to the article and defining a longitudinal axis, a power mechanism coupled to the drive element, a drum powered by the power mechanism, a cable keeper biasing the drive element toward the drum, a keeper shaft providing lateral movement of the cable keeper, and an encoder mounted for rotation with the keeper shaft. The encoder provides information regarding the position of the article. The lift assembly can also include a load cell assembly including a load cell housing, a load cell member contacting the drive element and movable relative to the load cell housing, and a load cell sensor coupled to the load cell member and operative to provide an output corresponding with a load on the drive element. The load cell member can be mounted for movement laterally relative to the longitudinal axis.